College Sports

Katherine Kang ’27 – The Williams Record

Photo courtesy of Katherine Kang. Each week, the Record (using a script in R) randomly selects a student at the College for our One in Two Thousand feature, excluding current Record board members. This week, Katherine Kang ’27 discussed her hometown of Amherst, Mass., love of crossword puzzles, and advice for first-years. This interview has […]

Published

1 month ago

May 1, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Each week, the Record (using a script in R) randomly selects a student at the College for our One in Two Thousand feature, excluding current Record board members. This week, Katherine Kang ’27 discussed her hometown of Amherst, Mass., love of crossword puzzles, and advice for first-years. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Tess Halpern (TH): You’re on the ice hockey team. When did you start playing?

Katherine Kang (KK): I started playing when I was maybe four or five. My dad and brother both played, so it just naturally happened. I played all through elementary school, middle school, and high school. I live in Amherst, which is kind of far from anything super competitive, so I was driving out to Eastern Mass a lot. Then I got recruited to play here.

TH: How do you stay connected with your team during the off-season?

KK: I would say they’re definitely my best friends, and I spend the most time with them. It is weird, since you just naturally see people less out of season, but we still have lifts and workouts, and weekends are very team-based.

TH: You mentioned you’re from Amherst. How do people there feel about you going to the College?

KK: It’s funny. I should’ve anticipated more that people would find it so shocking that I’m from Amherst. Like, last year, during First Days, when I was meeting everyone, I think I probably said it 700 times. Then, I got the “Oh my god, Amherst!” Or, you know, “Why Williams?” So I definitely had to develop a “bit” for that, like a little line. But, my entire neighborhood at home is Amherst professors, or people who work at Amherst, so they’re always making fun of me when I’m wearing Williams merch.

TH: What’s an obscure hobby you have?

KK: One thing about me is that I love a good crossword puzzle like The New York Times mini. I do that every morning when I wake up and try to finish it quicker than the day before. I have books of crossword puzzles that I can just spend hours on. Oh my gosh, it’s such a procrastination thing.

TH: Do you play the Record crossword?

KK: I do, yes. I like that it’s tailored to Williams in some ways, and includes little niche things that people wouldn’t know about, like Late Night. No one knows what Snar is outside of Williams.

TH: I’m so notoriously bad at crosswords.

KK: They’re pretty hard. I’m always impressed by people who can make crosswords.

TH: What are you majoring in?

KK: Literally just this morning, I finished declaring my major, so officially I can say I’m gonna be an environmental studies and French double major with a concentration in public health.

TH: Congratulations! What’s your favorite French class you’ve taken at the College?

KK: Probably anything with Brian Martin. He is just a joy of a human being and so encouraging. I love French, and he just makes you feel so confident and happy to be there.

TH: Since I’m a first-year, I’m wondering if you have any advice as someone who is nearing the end of your sophomore year.

KK: When I first got here, I had literally no idea what I wanted to study or do on campus. I think I spent a lot of my first year really worried about that, having this existential dread of “Who am I here?” But I would say, just keep taking classes that you genuinely find interesting, and you will find something that you’re really passionate about. Having just declared my major, I never thought that, by the end of my sophomore year, I would actually have found something I’m really interested in. But genuinely, even though everyone says it, you will figure it out. I was so sick of hearing that, but I really found it to be true.

TH: That’s great advice. Did you go to Spring Fling? What did you think?

KK: So, I hadn’t heard of Del Water Gap, but he was much better than I was expecting. And the rain was timed perfectly. I watched the student performances from inside, and then the rain stopped just as Del Water Gap was coming on stage. As soon as his performance ended, it started raining again. I was like, “Wow. Couldn’t have planned it any better.”

TH: Speaking of weather, Williamstown fall or spring?

KK: I would have to say spring. The fall weather is elite, but spring — coming out of season, no more preseason — is a time where you can really just have fun and enjoy it.

TH: What’s your favorite spot on Spring Street?

KK: Probably Spring Street Market for the vibes, but Papa C’s for some nice, affordable food. I’m notorious for going into Spring Street Market and not even buying anything and just doing work there. Vibes are good there, I’d say.

TH: What’s your favorite order from ’82 Grill or Fresh-n-Go?

KK: Well, fun fact: I have never been through the Whitmans’ line for lunch. Every single day that I’ve been here, I have ordered from Fresh-n-Go for lunch, and it’s been consistently the same thing. It’s a little weird: a grain bowl with turkey, egg salad, and all the toppings. It’s just one thing I know is consistent, and I can count on. [Laughs.] I’m a person of habit.

TH: That’s a great answer. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?

KK: I think, a lot of times, it’s hard with teams because it can get very insular. I love my team more than anything, and I would still love to meet other people and be close with them. My roommate is on the women’s soccer team, and we’ve just gotten so close — that’s been amazing to have. I wish more people knew that I’m not just on a hockey team. I really do like having a wide variety of friends.

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College Sports

Daniel Park – Associate Head Coach – Cowgirl Golf Coaches

Daniel Park is in his first season as Oklahoma State’s associate head coach after successful stints at Houston (2021-25) and UTSA (2018-21). Head coach Annie Young announced the hire on June 11, 2025, stating: “I am thrilled to have Daniel join our coaching staff. He is one of the best in the business. […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Daniel Park is in his first season as Oklahoma State’s associate head coach after successful stints at Houston (2021-25) and UTSA (2018-21).

Head coach Annie Young announced the hire on June 11, 2025, stating:

“I am thrilled to have Daniel join our coaching staff. He is one of the best in the business. We’re excited to have him and his family in Stillwater.”

Park spent a portion of his summer working with some of the world’s best men’s and women’s collegiate golfers at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup, a Ryder Cup-style competition played at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C. He served as an assistant coach for Team International, which outscored the United States, 35-25, to claim its first win since 2022 and first on U.S. soil since 2020.

At Houston (2021-25):

Park helped coach the Cougars to three NCAA Regional appearances in four years under head coach Lydia Lasprilla. During his tenure, the team racked up four tournament titles along with the two highest postseason finishes in program history. The 2025 Cougars placed sixth at the Columbus Regional (just three strokes shy of an NCAA Championship berth) after tying for sixth at the 2024 Auburn Regional (two strokes back).

Five of Park’s Cougars earned all-conference honors and two more made the Big 12’s all-tournament team. UH student-athletes also excelled off the course, combining for 15 conference all-academic honors and nine WGCA All-American Scholar Athlete nods.

Park was promoted to associate head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season, during which the Cougars tied a school record with three team titles and finished 27th in the final Scoreboard by Clippd national team rankings. In addition, junior Moa Svedenskiold was a two-time medalist and advanced to the NCAA Championship as an individual.

In 2023-24, Park helped Houston make a successful leap from the American Athletic Conference to the Big 12. Svedenskiold became the program’s first All-Big 12 recipient and set a new single-season school record for stroke average (71.47).

The Cougars opened their season with the third-lowest 54-hole tournament total in NCAA history (-48, 816) at the Sam Golden Invitational, helped by a school record 268 (-20) in the final round, and a brilliant debut from freshman Ellen Yates, who fired a 14-under, 202 to finish atop the leaderboard.

A trio of Houston freshmen enjoyed similar success in 2022-23 helping the Cougars return to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2021. Svedenskiold became the first Houston rookie to win a tournament title, capturing medalist honors at the Jim West Challenge, and later landed on the American Athletic Conference’s all-league team. Fellow freshman Natalie Saint Germain tied the school’s low-18 record with a 64 in the Final Round of the Schooner Fall Classic.

In Park’s debut season (2021-22), the Cougars played some of their best golf by season’s end, finishing runner-up at the AAC Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. Three Cougars earned all-conference honors — Nicole Abelar, Maria Jose Martinez and Annie Kim – with Kim landing a spot in the NCAA Franklin Regional field.

At UTSA (2018-21):

Prior to Houston, Park spent three seasons at the University of Texas at San Antonio working with head coach Summer Batiste. The pair led the Roadrunners to five tournament titles, including the 2019 Conference USA crown, as well as two NCAA Regional appearances.

Park coached four different UTSA golfers to all-conference honors, including 2019 CUSA medalist Ana Gonzalez.

The Roadrunners also performed well in the classroom under his watch, earning 16 CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll spots, four CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medals and one WGCA All-American Scholar nod. The program twice earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards after posting perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in 2019 and 2020.

UTSA earned only the second at-large berth in program history in 2021 and went on to secure a 13^th place finish at the Louisville Regional.

The 2020 squad was on a similar trajectory, winning two of its last three tournaments before the season was shut down in mid-March by COVID-19.

During the pandemic, Park used his downtime to complete Level 2 certification from the Titleist Performance Institute.

In 2018-19, Park helped lead UTSA to three team titles, highlighted by a 12-stroke win at the CUSA Championship. The Roadrunners set the program’s 54-hole record with a 10-under, 854 to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Norman Regional.

In Auburn, Ala. (2015-17):

Park came to San Antonio from Auburn, Ala., where he held dual roles as marketing and tournament director for the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour and as a golf coach at Auburn High School.

Park also served as a tournament services intern with Global Golf Management in Opelika, Ala., where he helped promote event opportunities and assisted with general operations during PGA Tour’s 2017 Barbasol Championship.

As a Student-Athlete:

A former standout collegiate golfer for Alabama State, Park helped lead the Hornets to three consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference championships from 2013-15. As a senior, he earned First Team All-SWAC honors and was a Cleveland/Srixon All-American Scholar.

Education:

Park graduated summa cum laude from Alabama State with a 3.94 GPA while majoring in communications and minoring in finance. He was a President’s Award recipient and made the Dean’s Honor Roll in every year of college.

From 2015-17, Park worked as a public speaking instructor with Auburn University’s Communications Department while completing his master’s degree in communication.

Personal:

Park is a native of Kendall, England. He and his wife, Shanon, were married in 2017 and have a son, Lucas David, born in May 2024.

The Park File:

Coaching Experience:

2025-Pr. – Oklahoma State, Associate Head Coach

June 2025 – Arnold Palmer Cup, Assistant Coach (Team International)

2024-25 – Houston, Associate Head Coach

2021-24 – Houston, Assistant Coach

2018-21 – UTSA, Assistant Coach

2017-18 – Auburn HS, Varsity Assistant/JV Head Coach

Postseason History:

2025 – NCAA Championship Individual Qualifier (Moa Svedenskiold, Houston)

2025 – NCAA Columbus Regional (Houston)

2024 – NCAA Auburn Regional (Houston)

2023 – NCAA Pullman Regional (Houston)

2022 – NCAA Franklin Regional Individual Qualifier (Annie Kim, Houston)

2021 – NCAA Louisville Regional (UTSA)

2019 – NCAA Norman Regional (UTSA)

Playing Experience:

2012-15 – Alabama State

3x SWAC Team Champions (2013, 2014, 2015)

First Team All-SWAC (2015)

Cleveland/Srixon All-American Scholar (2015)

3x Letterman (2013, 2014, 2015)

Personal:

Hometown: Kendall, England

Education: Alabama State (2015), Auburn (2017)

Wife: Shanon

Son: Lucas David

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College Sports

Herb Brooks National Hockey Center to be renovated with state funds

SAINT CLOUD — The Huskies’ den is getting an upgrade. The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is receiving $12.9 million from a bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, June 10 in a special session. The $700 million package addresses statewide projects using money from a state bond and general fund bill. Aside from […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAINT CLOUD — The Huskies’ den is getting an upgrade.

The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is receiving $12.9 million from a bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, June 10 in a special session. The $700 million package addresses statewide projects using money from a state bond and general fund bill. Aside from the historic Herb, some of the infrastructure projects are in water systems, transportation and housing.

St. Cloud representative Dan Wolgamott (DFL-14B) advocated for the funding as co-chair of the house higher education committee.

“I’m proud of all we accomplished for St. Cloud during the most bipartisan session in Minnesota House history,” Wolgamott said in a statement. “Our key achievements will get more police officers on our streets, tackle the healthcare workforce shortages, attract and incentivize developers to downtown St. Cloud, and provide much-needed renovations to the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.”

St. Cloud Technical and Community College also received $1.3 million in infrastructure funding as part of the bonding package, passed the same day as the remainder of the state budget.

The SCSU athletic department will release a statement on its plans for the investment by the end of the week, according to athletics communications director Andrew Melroe.

The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center was built in 1989 to facilitate the SCSU men’s and women’s teams’ move to NCAA Division I. It now hosts the Huskies, the Division III St. John’s University Johnnies, youth teams and community events. Last summer, it hosted then-presidential candidate Donald Trump for a rally that sat an estimated 8,000 people.

“I think that it’s a humongous victory not just for Husky hockey, not just for St Cloud State University, not just for downtown St Cloud, but for our whole community (considering) the economic benefits that the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center provides for our local economy,” Wolgamott said in an interview.

For several years, St. Cloud State officials have campaigned for state funding to upgrade the original refrigerant system for its two ice sheets from R-22, which has been outlawed for its damage to the ozone in the atmosphere. The Municipal Athletic Complex is upgrading its system to ammonia this summer, part of a $16 million project that includes roof work, new locker rooms and more training and mechanical space.

One difference between the sheets at the MAC and the National Hockey Center is the size of the ice — SCSU plays on the larger Olympic rink compared to NHL dimensions. Most teams, including all of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, play on the smaller ice. Two rinks in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association are bigger than NHL and smaller than Olympic.

The arena had been upgraded recently. Before last season, the video boards and sound system were upgraded thanks to $1.3 million in gifts. In 2019, the school added a new workout room connected to the nearly $20 million addition in 2013 that built a new atrium, suites and locker rooms.

Contact reporter Reid Glenn at rglenn@gannett.com

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College Sports

Female athletes appeal NCAA settlement arguing it violates Title IX

An attorney representing the athletes said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education. Eight female athletes filed an appeal Wednesday of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement, arguing that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Female athletes appeal NCAA settlement arguing it violates Title IX

An attorney representing the athletes said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

Eight female athletes filed an appeal Wednesday of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement, arguing that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who were barred from making money off their name, image and likeness.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the settlement last week, clearing the way for direct payments from universities to athletes and the end of the NCAA’s amateurism model.

The athletes who appealed the settlement competed in soccer, volleyball and track. They are: Kacie Breeding of Vanderbilt; Lexi Drumm, Emma Appleman, Emmie Wannemacher, Riley Hass, Savannah Baron and Elizabeth Arnold of the College of Charleston; and Kate Johnson of Virginia. They have standing to appeal because they previously filed objections to the proposed settlement.

Ashlyn Hare, one of the attorneys representing the athletes, said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

“We support a settlement of the case, but not an inaccurate one that violates federal law. The calculation of past damages is based on an error that ignores Title IX and deprives female athletes of $1.1 billion,” Hare said. “Paying out the money as proposed would be a massive error that would cause irreparable harm to women’s sports.”

The House settlement figures to financially benefit football and basketball stars at the biggest schools, who are likely to receive a big chunk of the $20.5 million per year that colleges are permitted to share with athletes over the next year. Some athletes in other sports that don’t make money for their schools could lose their partial scholarships or see their roster spots cut.

“This is a football and basketball damages settlement with no real benefit to female athletes,” Hare said. “Congress has expressly rejected efforts to exempt revenue-generating sports like football and basketball from Title IX’s antidiscrimination mandate. The NCAA agreed with us. Our argument on appeal is the exact same argument the conferences and NCAA made prior to settling the case.”

The appeal was filed by the law firm Hutchinson Black and Cook of Boulder, Colorado, and was first reported by Front Office Sports. It would be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

College Sports

Female athletes appeal NCAA settlement arguing it violates Title IX

Published

3 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

An attorney representing the athletes said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the settlement last week, clearing the way for direct payments from universities to athletes and the end of the NCAA’s amateurism model.

Ashlyn Hare, one of the attorneys representing the athletes, said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

College Sports

SEC communications staff members honored with College Sports Communicators 25-Year Awards

The Southeastern Conference is proud to recognize two of its communications staff members, Jill Skotarczak and Tammy Wilson, who have been honored by College Sports Communicators (CSC) with the prestigious 25-Year Award. The award is presented to CSC members who have completed 25 years in the athletics communications profession and is vetted and voted on […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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College Sports

RPI Engineers women’s hockey schedule released – Troy Record

DANBURY, Conn. — ECAC Hockey unveiled its 2025-26 women’s league schedule, setting the stage for another thrilling season of collegiate hockey battles. The quest for the ECAC Hockey regular season title will take place over the league’s traditional 132-game slate, beginning on October 24 and concluding with the ECAC Hockey Women’s Championships from February 20 […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation